A Hearts Desire

When we first moved to Nicaragua, Dwight and I said we would stay for at least 1 year.  We would decide after 6 months, (January 2011) if we would stay longer.  Our visas required us to leave the country in December 2010 so we traveled to Costa Rica for a few days.  I jumped the gun and asked Josh and Maggie how they were feeling about staying longer than a year in Nicaragua.  TEARS.  We were in a tropical paradise and my kids were sobbing at the dinner table.  Maggie wanted to be with family and friends and Josh just wanted to be playing hockey.  Sobbing...

Josh was the Captain of his team before leaving

It was one of those moments when I thought I had made a horrible mistake to take them away from Edmonds.

Delight yourself in the Lord,

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Josh, Maggie and Will wouldn't trade their time growing up in Nicaragua.  They know what they have given up but they feel they have gained so much more than they could have ever hoped for.  They feel they have been saved from  many pressures from North American culture and gained a world perspective that a book, movie or vacation could have ever given.  

They have learned to love and depend on God in quiet and lonely moments.  They have learned to worship Him and that He truly is water unto their souls.  My kids love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.  Why?  Because He is real and He has sustained them and made them thrive.

Josh graduated in June and went immediately to the USA to work and prepare to attend the University of Washington.  It wasn't his first choice of schools but as we see all that God had in store for Him, we know it was Gods perfect choice for him.  He never gave up the identity of a hockey player or lost his passion.

One of his senior pictures taken in Nicaragua

He investigated the UW Hockey team immediately and met with the coach.  We talked in June and he said that tryouts were September 17,18 and 19 and that he would work hard all summer so he could participate. He met with the coach and was told that, for the least he would be able to help with the organization of the team.  The coach gave him the opportunity to get on the ice with the team and that night gave him a number, his number 14, and said welcome to the Husky Ice Hockey team.

Last weekend playing again WSU

It was more than a few times that tears were shed because of the loss of hockey.  Not just from Josh but all of us mourned the loss of the sport that we loved and excitement in our lives.  I remember Josh saying he would never be able to play again, "only with old men and there would be no competition".  I knew he was right.  How could I have done that to him?    What could I say but lean into God, he will fill the void.

God allowed a void so that , yes Josh would lean into Him, but also at just the right time He could do what only God could do and restore Josh's dream and passion, with an opportunity to play on a team, competitive hockey!

What can I say?  Josh delighted himself in the Lord, he has lived well, hasn't complained and God has given him the desire of his heart.

Thank you Jesus for loving and lavishing upon my son.  Now please Lord I would like to ask you to be with him always on the ice and knock the guys down before they can ever get to Josh, can I ask that?